Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation to Support Programs for Adults With Disabilities

The Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation awards funds in the areas of arts, advocacy, and education to nonprofit organizations that are led by or support adults with disabilities. The foundation encourages distinctive projects that change the face of disability in a community. These programs impact the lives of people with disabilities and are supported by the local community, including foundations, corporations, and individual funders. It is ELA's vision to "Change the Face of Disability on the Planet" by providing grant support for the implementation of "cutting edge" programs.

The grant request must be for a program in the area of arts, advocacy, or education and must serve adults over the age of 22 with disabilities. Applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) designated organizations that have been in existence for two years or longer. The program must be approved for submission via the online grant application form in order for the fullgrant application to be accepted. The online grant application form must be submitted by March 15 for the May 1 deadline and by September 15 for the November 1 deadline. No hard copy grant application packets will be accepted unless the program is approved through the online application process. Visit the foundation's Web site for complete program guidelines and application procedures. Deadline: September 15, 2008

Courage Center Seeks Applications for Judd Jacobson Memorial Award
Courage Center (http://www.couragecenter.org), a nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center for people with disabilities, is seeking applications for its annual Judd Jacobson Memorial Award. Established in 1992, the Jacobson Award recognizes the pursuit or achievement of a business entrepreneurial endeavor by a person with a physical disability or sensory impairment. The award recipient will be honored at an event in November and receive a $5,000 cash award to advance their business endeavors.

To be considered for the award, applicants must be 18 years of age and reside in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, or North or South Dakota. Applicants must also demonstrate entrepreneurial skill, financial need, exceptional personal commitment, and have received little or no public recognition for their business endeavor. Applications are available online at the Courage Center Web site under the "Resources" heading. Deadline: September 19, 2008

The 2009 Paul G. Hearne Leadership Awards

In 2009, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) will once again recognize those outstanding individuals personifying leadership, advocacy, and dedication to and for the disability community at large. Three individuals, who are emerging as leaders in the cross-disability civil rights movement, will each receive $10,000 to help them continue their progress as leaders and further connect their work with the national grassroots of AAPD. The recipients of the 2009 Hearne Leadership Awards will also have an opportunity to meet and network with national disability leaders at the AAPD Leadership Gala in Washington, DC in March 2009. Residents of the U.S. with any type of disability are eligible to apply, and are required to complete the Application Instructions and Procedures available on the AAPD website. Deadline: must be received by Friday, September 30, 2008

Home Depot Foundation
This foundation supports nonprofits focused on at-risk youth. Applications are accepted July 15, October 15, January 15 and April 15. For more information visit their website. The programs help to develop leaders and encourage young people to become contributing community citizens through job readiness training, leadership development and volunteerism. Grants are directed toward programs that target youth, ages 12-18, residing in under-served communities.

Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Loans & Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development's Rural Housing Program, offers up to $7,500 to make dwellings accessible for household members, age 62 or older, with a disability in rural areas. Get details online http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/sfh/brief_repairgrant.htm or call (202) 720-4323.

Financial Aid Demystified for Students with Disabilities
The HEATH Resource Center of George Washington University's Graduate School of Education and Human Development produces an annual financial assistance resource guide that includes information to help people with disabilities get financial aid for post-secondary education. The 18-page guide covers all the basics, from grants and loans, to work-study and scholarships. It covers disability-related topics such as what counts as disability-related expenses, how vocational rehabilitation and financial aid work together, and how Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) fits into the picture. It also contains a list of financial assistance sources and a financial aid checklist.

Assistive Technology Fund Available for Blind People
The Association of Blind Citizens has a new Assistive Technology Fund that provides funds to individuals needing adaptive devices or software to increase independence and opportunities for employment. They will pay 50% of the retail costs if the cost of the equipment is between $200 and $6000.

In order to be eligible for these funds, your family income must be less than $50,000 and you must have less than $20000 in cash assets. If you are selected by the committee to receive the grant, you will be asked to provide financial documents to the Assistive Technology Committee. You also must be a resident of the US and legally blind.

To apply, e-mail the form on the website which also has more detailed information on the application process. You also must supply them with a 500-word description of what you would like to purchase and how it will help you in employment and independence.

PASS Plan for Your Future
A plan for achieving self-support, or PASS, allows people with disabilities who want to work, or start their own business, to plan for their future. A PASS lets you set aside money and/or other things you own to help you reach your goal. For example, you could set aside money to start a business, go to school or get training for a job.

Your goal must be a job that will produce sufficient earnings to reduce your dependency on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. A PASS is meant to help you acquire those items, services or skills you need so that you can compete with other persons for an entry-level job in a professional, business or trade environment. If you have graduated from college or a trade/technical school, you are usually considered capable of obtaining such a position without the assistance of a PASS.

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